OVERALL: Draw

R1 and R4 2-disc SEs have the best transfer (2005 restoration) and the most comprehensive set of extras. Note that the R1 SE has additional Merian C. Cooper trailers and some extra goodies with the "CE tin".

Other releases for completists:
- R2 France: has an additional rerelease edit of the film.
- R2 Germany: has an addtional featurette and some text-based features.
- R2 Italy: has several exclusive extras and a complete extra feature film.
- - R2 UK: the original release and 4-disc King Kong Classic 4 DVD Collection both have an exclusive featurette.

GENERAL NOTES:
◦ Between 1936 and 1956 this film was rereleased several times, on each occasion suffering various censorship cuts.
◦ In 1971 Merian C. Cooper restored King Kong to its original, 100 minute, 1933 theatrical release length. This version received further restoration over the next few years and is the one most commonly released on DVD.
◦ Between 1999-2005, Warner Brothers/Turner Entertainment undertook a new, costly, fully digital restoration. This version has vastly improved sound and picture quality and adds a 4 minute overture, bringing the overall running time to 104 minutes.
◦ Warner Brothers hold the exclusive worldwide video rights to their 2005 restoration; releases on any other label feature the earlier version.
* It is widely noted that the 1980's colorisation is of a poor standard and almost unwatchable. You may want to take this into consideration when making your decision.

CUTS:

• R0 Brazil- Continental - No cuts
• R0 Taiwan- Buddha Video Limited - No cuts.
• R1 America- Warner Home Video - No cuts - Warner Bros. 2005 Restoration (104:16 NTSC)
• R1 Special Edition America- Warner Home Video - No cuts - Warner Bros. 2005 Restoration (104:16 NTSC)
• R2 Special Edition France- Editions Montparasse - No cuts - Includes both 1933 version and 85 minute rerelease edit.
• R2 Germany- Kinowelt - No cuts (95:36 PAL).
• R2 Italy- Explosion Video - No cuts
• R2 Special Edition Italy- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment - No cuts
• R2 Scandinavia- Svensk Filmindustri - No cuts (99:59 PAL)
• R2 United Kingdom- Polygram - No cuts
• R2 United Kingdom- Universal Pictures - No cuts
• R2 United Kingdom- Warner Home Video - No cuts - Warner Bros. 2005 Restoration (104:16 NTSC)
• R2 King Kong Classic 4 DVD Collection United Kingdom- Universal Pictures - No cuts - includes the original black and white version (95:57 PAL) and the colourised version (100:18 PAL).
• R4 Australia- Magna Pacific - No cuts
• R4 Special Edition Australia- Warner Home Video - No cuts - Warner Bros. 2005 Restoration

Do you own a release not listed? Then please visit our forums and let us know!

Comparison added by Noor_Razzak on 21/02/03
Comparison last updated by Anthony_DiPaola on 09/09/19

UPDATE LOG:

21/04/12 - Major clean-up and added R1 single disc, R2 UK Universal, R2 UK Universal 4 DVD Collection and R2 Italy SE.
23/04/12 - Minor fixes.
05/12/18: Capsaholic.
09/09/19: Addition of Taiwan release.